That’s what a novice entrepreneur might think when facing down these aspects of intellectual property law, right?

And to be fair, these are not elements of running a business that come intuitively to folks more interested in the creative, logistical, material or production side of running a small business. But just because these legal concepts are tricky to navigate doesn’t mean you can ignore them.

Patents, copyrights and trademarks can protect, brand, and formalize aspects of your startup. They help you guard critical assets, and protect you from being blindsided by competition. On the other hand, not every startup needs to rush in and slap patents or copyrights on everything.

Need a guide to walk you through the maze of intellectual property law for startups? We’ve got you covered:

Join us Friday, April 21st, 1-2 p.m. for Biz503: Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks. Listen live at 99.1 FM in the heart of Portland – or online anywhere at PRP.fm.

Our current Biz503 series is about taking your idea from a concept to profitability, and all the steps along the entrepreneurial way. This week: How to Protect Your Brand.

This week on Biz503 Immix Law Group, trusted legal advisors to startups and small business, will give away a free hour of legal work on an issue or challenge you’re facing in your business. (Terms and conditions of an engagement letter will apply.) Listen to the live show for a chance to text-to-win!

I’m a recent University of Portland grad and an aspiring journalist. I hail originally from Ontario, Canada. My passions and pursuits vary – currently I’m into indie films, podcasts, live storytelling and tango.